The BRIGHTER project grew from a pilot initiative led by the School of Psychology in 2018. Aware of the challenges faced by students in accessing mental health support, we established a small, proof-of-principle, University-run Cognitive Behavioural Therapy service. This was delivered almost exclusively using existing resources - staff from our Doctorate in Clinical Psychology training programme led the service, with clinically qualified staff also providing 1:1, face to face therapy. In addition, clinicians-in-training from our Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programme also provided clinical services.

This novel endeavour was nationally recognised, winning both the Guardian's Award for Student Experience and the Times Higher Education's Award for Outstanding Student Support within the same year.

In 2019, we successfully secured external funding to expand the clinic. The £826,000 investment, awarded from the Office for Student's Mental Health Challenge Competition, is delivered in partnership with Northumbria University, Cumbria, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, and the Child Outcomes Research Consortium, with co-investment from Newcastle University.

‎